The Negros Occidental provincial government is consolidating its savings and other funds for the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines in early 2021, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said today, December 28.
The provincial government is still determining how much its savings are from Personal Services, Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses and other programs and projects that were cancelled in 2020, he said.
On top of the savings the provincial government has other sources of funds for the vaccines, he also said.
The provincial accountant gives all the provincial government offices until the first week of February to submit all their reports so the books for 2020 can be closed and the savings can be determined, he said.
Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer said it is important that the provincial government allocates funds for COVID-19 vaccines for its constituents.
Former Negros Occidental Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez earlier said he is negotiating for Negros Occidental to be among the first provinces in the country to avail of COVID-19 vaccines by early next year.
Benitez, provincial government consultant on economic affairs, said he already has an agreement with the national government for the purchase of the vaccines and they are trying to negotiate with US-based Moderna or Chinese biotech Sinovac for allocations.
The Bacolod City government is also preparing a multi-million peso fund for the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines in 2021, Mayor Evelio Leonardia said Sunday, December 27.*